South Sudan: Churches appeal for peace as war escalates

Bishop Matthew Gbitiku

Source: Fides

The situation in South Sudan is escalating: on Thursday, 26 March, Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest, further escalating the renewed clashes between him and President Salva Kiir.

According to his party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), Machar, his wife, and two bodyguards are being held at home on suspicion of involvement in the recent clashes between the army and the White Army militia in Nasir, Upper Nile State.

On the day of Machar's arrest, artillery fire had been fired in the area around the capital, Juba. The high tensions of recent days have prompted several embassies in Juba to ask their citizens to leave South Sudan (the US Embassy has reduced its staff to the bare minimum), while calls are multiplying for a peaceful solution to the crisis that threatens to plunge the country back into civil war.

"This is not the time for senseless wars; instead, politicians must foster an atmosphere of unity and engage in peace dialogues to address the challenges faced by the public," said the Bishop of Wau, Matthew Remijio Adam Gbitiku.

The Council of Evangelical Churches of South Sudan (CEOFSS) is calling for "an impartial investigation into the root causes of these conflicts. If anyone is found guilty should be taken to court for justice."

The CEOFSS also expresses "concern about the presence of foreign forces in South Sudan and encourage the resolution of security concerns through diplomatic engagement, ensuring that national sovereignty and stability are upheld."

In addition to the political disputes between the two "strongmen" who have been competing for power since the country's independence (2011), South Sudan is torn by communal and tribal conflicts that contribute to the country's insecurity. In this context, the CEOFSS points out that "intercommunal violence remains a pressing problem, including cattle thefts in the states of Warrap and Jonglei, and clashes between farmers and herders in parts of Equatoria."

In his Angelus address today, Pope Francis decried the "appalling humanitarian catastrophe" in South Sudan.

He said the war in Sudan "continues to claim innocent victims."

He appealed: "I urge the parties concerned in the conflict to put the safeguarding of the lives of their civilian brothers and sisters first, and I hope that new negotiations will begin as soon as possible, capable of securing a lasting solution to the crisis."

"May the international community, increase its efforts to address the appalling humanitarian catastrophe."